Questions and Answers

I’m a bit confused about something. I recently booked LAX-HKG on Cathay in FC for January. We’re all ticketed and have seat assignments, but upon checking ExpertFlyer, our flight (#897) is zeroed out in all classes from October 29 on.
Do you have any insight into why this is happening? I’m a little paranoid CX might be cutting an LAX flight as they increase SFO.
There is a seat on the flight leaving just after midnight….would you recommend I switch to that one, or am I just being twitchy?

Thanks a mil…

That’s certainly strange. I’d give it a couple of days in case it’s a glitch and then try to call them to see what is going on?

I would be surprised if they were canceling the flight but didn’t mention it in the flight announcement of the 350 to SFO that [USER=4]@Lucky[/USER] wrote about.

Holly, are you looking at the EF seat map? I see it for all days in January. Flight 897 has a couple days where seats are assigned in first class.

[USER=9]@Mark[/USER] s, that’s interesting. I looked at the cx website for a random week in January and didn’t even see that flight for sale.

[USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] maybe there’s something afoot with this flight but just so I can break my losing streak

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[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 28197, member: 2121″]Holly, are you looking at the EF seat map? I see it for all days in January. Flight 897 has a couple days where seats are assigned in first class.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I was looking at the EF loads. My seat assignment shows on my January date, but when I look at the other flights on the same day, only #897 is zeroed out for every class of service. It appears that way from October on.

Since I’m a little spooked about it, I’ve even tried to do a dummy booking on the CX website, and that early morning flight isn’t even an option.

[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 28200, member: 2121″][USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] maybe there’s something afoot with this flight but just so I can break my losing streak

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Yup….pretty crazy. Even though there are seats reserved on the seat map, the flight availability page shows nothing but zeroes across the board for 897.

Think it might just be a flight number change and time change. In October EF is showing 3 lax flights. In January they are showing 4 with 897 zeroed out.

My guess is they are changing to #885 at 11:10am

I’d call and verify and reassign your seats.

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[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 28203, member: 2121″]Think it might just be a flight number change and time change. In October EF is showing 3 lax flights. In January they are showing 4 with 897 zeroed out.

My guess is they are changing to #885 at 11:10am

I’d call and verify and reassign your seats.

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I’m not sure about that. I think CX has had 4 LAX-HKG flights for quite some time. But I do think the 11:10/12:10 flight is only certain days of the week and not daily like the others.

Regardless, I’m very grateful for your help, suggestions, and insight.

Yes I see some days have 4. But if you have a confirmed ticket on a flight they cancel they have to put you on another regardless if there are award tickets. Anyway I’d call to find out for sure. Good luck.

[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 28205, member: 2121″]Yes I see some days have 4. But if you have a confirmed ticket on a flight they cancel they have to put you on another regardless if there are award tickets. Anyway I’d call to find out for sure. Good luck.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Mark. When I called the HK call center yesterday for seat assignments, they really couldn’t give me an answer.

Really? In regard to getting a seat on another flight? Good to know. I envisioned them saying, “You’re out of luck.”

You purchased a ticket and have a confirmed reservation on a flight they are subsequently changing (assuming they do), so they have to accommodate you. Doesn’t matter if it’s a reward ticket. And you have plenty of time.

Try again until it gets resolved since your flight is no longer on the schedule.

You might get a response saying there is no award availability but don’t be afraid to politely escalate until you get a supervisor who can help you.

Thank you all for your help. This award continues to JNB, so while my flight is ideal, the 11:10 flight would be okay too. Not as much time in the lounge, but I’ll be happy regardless.

Well you were right Holly. They have indeed cancelled #897 per routesonline. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

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Well, now I know what I’m doing today. Thanks so much Mark……you and Guarev have emboldened me to ask firmly for accommodation on another flight.

I’ll let you know what happens.

I’m not sure who you got the reward with AA, AS or Asia Miles. If it was with AA or AS you might end up having to get them involved with Cathay’s reward liaison to get ithis resolved. But start with CX, that will be the fastest.

[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 28239, member: 2121″]I’m not sure who you got the reward with AA, AS or Asia Miles. If it was with AA or AS you might end up having to get them involved with Cathay’s reward liaison to get ithis resolved. But start with CX, that will be the fastest.[/QUOTE]
Well, this was easy and painless. I was able to see my booking on the CX website, and they’d already confirmed me on #881 12:05am on my original travel day. Not my ideal flight, but I’m thrilled this didn’t turn into a saga.

I used Alaska miles for this trip….but use of 70,000 miles, ever.

If you prefer a different flight, you may still be able to get them to change it, since they automatically rebooked you on 881.

My husband is actually on the 11:10 am flight, so I may try for that. It’s not the end of the world if we’re not together, but I was always hoping I’d be able to change him to 897. Since it’s now cancelled…that’s not going to happen.

I’m a bit (no, a lot) compulsive, and I’m thinking 4+ hours in HKG is not enough time to make our connection to JNB. Realistically of course I know it is, but I’m a fretter.

I’d let Cathay know you want to fly together – that should make it easier to get them to rebook you (or rebook him onto your flight)

4 hours is more than enough at HKG. The people mover gets you to the transfer security area pretty quickly and that itself is pretty straightforward. You’d also get some time in the lounge.

I will try. Thanks for the advice.